~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore
Frame of the Undying Fortitude (finished)
An Odd Sea Slug:
This story, is dramatic Mahou Shoujo story. The plot is preparing, please read warmly until its conclusion. Many minds will gather, and many will clash. What will happen to our dear world when moonlight and flame are forced to clash once more?
Odda C. presents to you?
?A fanwork based on the game series known as Touhou?
Frame of the Undying Fortitude
Why dawdle any longer? Let us begin?
***
[First Spell]
A cool moonlit night covers Gensokyo during this late hour. Some are idle, resting within their homes awaiting the day. Others are up and about, each with their own reason, be it innocent or otherwise. Cool, calm winds accentuate the perfect, unpolluted air. So calm is it, that not even the wind makes noise. Truly a quiet night probably good for drinking a strong beverage outside your home if you?re the late night type. One would think this peace would last throughout the night, but this is Gensokyo. Something is bound to happen here, disturbing the peace, the perpetrator heedless of whether it is night or not?
?Hey, what?chya writing there Wriggle? Are you to tell me you keep some kind of Journal nowadays??
The boyish Night Bug (or rather, firefly) was snapped out of her deep thoughts by the energetic voice of the Grilled Lamprey stand?s proprietor. She turned to her Night Sparrow friend as she unconsciously fiddled with one of her black antennae, clad in a simple white, long sleeved shirt, and baggy blue, knee high pants. She had simple, short green hair and innocent blue eyes. On her back was a black cape (red on the inside). She had on brown shoes, with frilly ankle high socks.
She was perched atop one of the Lamprey stand?s stools, while the other girl stood behind the desk, talking to Wriggle as she cooked.
?Ehh? Well maybe in a small sense Mystia. It is just that I decided not too long ago to keep all my random musings in a record of some sort.? explained Wriggle with a small smile on her face along with a small blush. ?Pay no mind. Other people will likely be bored by reading what?s in here.?
The Night bird merely smiled cheerfully.
?Don?t be so quick to write yourself off like that Wriggle! There are plenty of curious people who would be very interested in something of that nature!?
Mystia, like Wriggle, was a Youkai. But she was a bird Youkai rather than an insect Youkai. A white apron currently covered her elaborate frilly dress, colored in subdued dark reds, and pinks, with many ribbon-like bird ornaments going from the neckline all the way to the bottom. The sleeves of the dress were as white as a pearl, with black rings near the shoulders. She had on leggings that matched the color of her dress along with black shoes with tiny wings on them. On her back was a pair of wings that just so happened to match the color of her dress, though they had purple along the tops. Her eyes were grey, had pointy owl-like ears, and wore a bowl shaped hat (matching her dress) with little wings on top.
?You think so?? Sages, wanderers, and artists perhaps? But in some sense, you have a greater talent for writing this sort of stuff than I do.?
Wriggle leaned back to stretch a bit, lifting her skinny arms into the air.
?Maybe, maybe not. Which of the two of us really know?? said Mystia, before perking up with an idea. ?Why not write songs with your writings? There is plenty of material, and it could be quite a bit of fun!?
Wriggle very nearly fell out of her chair at the notion, but quickly recovered and settled back in. She was blushing slightly.
?I? ?I can?t sing as well as you can Mystia??
?Nonsense! Anyone can sing if they really put their will into it, even if they don?t sound good. I think you personally have a fairly decent voice yourself! And even if you?re unwilling to sing, I will gladly sing them! Besides, singing about random musings may make it easier to lure in humans to attack. They tend to be quite interested in such things, almost as much as Youkai.?
?Is that so? Tell me, do you really believe my works can be turned into good songs, or are your words mere encouragement??
Mystia just sighed, but still held her smile.
?You?re far too modest Wriggle. Really you are. Why not just do something for fun, even if you?re not very good at it? Surely someone will be impressed? Peoples tastes vary as much as the cloud shapes in the sky.?
?Or perhaps like the different foods you serve.? responded Wriggle.
?The only way to get better at something is practice until you can do it well. That?s why I sing my heart out, even when I?m not using my music to lure humans.?
?Just put my heart and will into it eh???
Just then, they both sensed the presence of someone approaching.
?Putting your heart into all you do eh? That?s a good mantra to live by, a good way to survive life?s tides.? said another female voice.
?Who goes there?? asks Wriggle, as the figure emerges from the shadows.
She was a woman looking to be in her twenties (as apposed to early teens for Mystia and Wriggle) of average height (making her taller than Mystia or Wriggle). In addition, she had dark brown eyes, with very long black hair, along with a pink shirt with many white bows, and a long, dark burgundy skirt decorated in yellow with bamboo and flower shapes. The sleeves of her dress seemed to exceed the length of her arms as well. She walked toward the red lantern lamprey stand with a rather gentle smile on her face.
Even so, Mystia was silent. Her smile disappeared as she eyed the on comer with suspicion. It was normal for Mystia to distrust humans (especially since most distrusted her), but this human was far more mysterious. Not only that but she was a Lunarian, a human from the moon (or rather, that?s what Mystia thought they were).
The famous immortal princess of Eientei, Kaguya Houraisan? thought the night bird.
?The Princess of Eientei all alone in a place like this??? asked Wriggle.
?I was feeling restless, so I decided to take an evening walk.? responded Kaguya calmly with a warm smile as she sat down.
?Aren?t you pretty far from your home here??? asked Mystia, raising an eyebrow.
?It matters not. I can fly quite quickly. Besides, I was interested in sampling your cuisine here. I read an article about it in that Tengu?s paper recently.? explained the princess as she put her right sleeve to her mouth. ?I?ve only seldom had any sort of fish during my time in Gensokyo, so now I?m curious as to the taste of this lamprey? I hear it?s good for the eyes as well.?
Eh? Is my night-blindness ability working on her?? thought Mystia.
?Uhh? You heard correctly. I-in fact, the lamprey from here is the best in the entire world!? boasting Mystia.
?Then I shall have the pleasure of proving whether or not it?s true.? giggled Kaguya.
Mystia suddenly pointed her spatula at the princess as she put on a very confident smile.
?My cooking skills will soon by well known among the Eientei inhabitants!?
Wriggle only looked back and forth at the two, wondering what Kaguya would think of Mystia?s cooking?
An Odd Sea Slug:
In mere moments Mystia was over the grill, preparing Kaguya?s late night snack. Wriggle (who was on Kaguya?s left) had one arm on the table, supporting her head as the boyish looking girl slowly drifted back into her deep thoughts. However?
?Wriggle Nightbug?? asked Kaguya suddenly.
Wriggle was startled, but not visibly so. She calmly turned her head toward the princess.
?That is my name. Do you wish to ask me something??
?I would say ?I wish to show you something.? Not too long ago, I discovered something very interesting. That interesting something lies within this nice little book I discovered not long ago?? said Kaguya as she pulled out a small brown leather book.
?What is that you wish to show me?? asked Wriggle curiously, straightening up.
It was a book containing all sorts of odd poems. Kaguya turned to a certain page and began reading.
?It goes like this:
When the stone is set, and the moon is high?
People shall rest, none shall die.
When the mind is set, and the heart is bold?
Many forbidden tails be told.
Many may unlock the secret, many may not?
But only one shall awaken the sleeper, like boiling water in a pot!
When the song is sung, and the fireflies dance?
The one who seals shall break many a romance.
And the one who unseals the sealer shall put one she sees forever in a cold trance.
That then shall be the very last dance.
Is the music ready? Are the dancers in place?
Sing and shout! Feel a peaceful feeling with grace!
Mystia was too focused on her cooking to pay attention, and Wriggle appeared understandably confused.
?Errr? I didn?t understand that at all?! It really doesn?t make any sense??
?It is mysterious isn?t it?? But that is what makes it interesting? Or rather, that was what made it interesting?? giggled the princess.
?Wait? Do you mean to tell me you have deciphered that blather?!? said Wriggle, surprised.
Kaguya merely smiled slyly at Wriggle, causing her to lean back slightly, then look away after a few seconds. It was silent for a few short moments, sans Mystia?s grilling. It was Mystia who broke the short lived silence.
?Orrrrrrrrrder up!? she announced as she layed Kaguya?s food in front of her.
?Hm? Looks simply succulent! Let us see if tasting is the same as looking?? said the princess eagerly.
As the princess tried Mystia?s lamprey Wriggle kept her in her peripheral vision. Her mind was hard at work in an attempt to figure out what that prophecy/riddle/poem/whatever was trying to say. In particular, she couldn?t get the lines involving ?dancing fireflies? out of her head. Wriggle hoped it didn?t mean something involving her. Kaguya?s appearance here at this late hour was suspicious enough, and that recital made her even more suspicious.
Besides? ?Wriggle couldn?t dance.
And as for the singing part? Mystia was a singer who was constantly singing no matter what. If there was ever a music lover in Gensokyo, it was her. Even so, it was hard if not impossible to find any reason that would make Mystia have anything at all to do with this. And really, Kaguya?s presence was too convient. Or was it? Now Wriggle was worried for a different reason. She wasn?t becoming some sort of absolutist cynic was she?? Perhaps she simply thought too much of this situation?
?Positively delicious! It would seem you are as good as the paper says you are!? exclaimed Kaguya after finishing off the lamprey rather quickly.
?As I have said to you!? said Mystia confidently, the bird?s large ego satisfied.
?Kaguya-sama?? began Wriggle. ?If you don?t mind my asking? What is it that you discovered in the texts you have just read to me???
Kaguya was silent for a few seconds, never breaking her smile. She slowly looked up at the sky dreamily.
?Something that will change my life. Something dear to me.? she spoke in a manner that made her seem she was in a moment of ecstasy.
????
?Now then? I?d like to enlist the talents of you two both.? she then announced, suddenly coming back to Earth.
?Huh? If you want to hire me for cooking or singing, please take one of the pamphlets to your left Kaguya-sama. All the information is there.? said Mystia, pointing at a small stack while wearing a confident smile. ?I?m not cheap though!?
?Hold on? You mean you?d like us to come to Eientei??? asked Wriggle, raising any eyebrow.
?Come with me, yes? But not quite to Eientei. I want you two to accompany me to a very special place. You will not find a place were your talents will be more appreciated than anywhere else in Gensokyo? ?no? ?the world!?
Somewhere other than Eientei...? Where could she possibly?? thinks Wriggle to herself.
The bliss caused by ego inflation was quick to fade, Mystia becoming suspicious toward Kaguya again.
?Hold on? Is there some kind of festival or something?? asked Mystia.
?Well? In a sense. I can ensure that there will be a celebration.? said Kaguya calmly.
Wriggle decided she?d heard enough.
?I?m sorry, but I think I will be passing. I?m sure there are others you can ask who are more talented than I am.?
The insect Youkai got up and bowed to Kaguya as she spoke, clearly with an intention to leave.
?I should be going? Sayonara.? she turned around and began walking away.
Kaguya began getting up as well, her smile becoming... ?darker.
?Wha?? Hey! You?re not leaving until you pay up! The rent doesn?t pay itself ya know!? said Mystia, a little peeved.
?You do well to hide your fear of me, Nightbug.? said Kaguya.
Wriggle suddenly stopped moving. She didn?t turn around, but if she did she would?ve revealed a very shocked expression. Still she said nothing, not even a whimper.
Mystia raised an eyebrow.
?Hm?? Hey, what?s going on? Stop speaking nonsense and pay your due!? demanded Mystia.
?You no longer require money, song bird. I need you as well.? said a now evilly smiling Kaguya.
Now Wriggle slowly turned her head around. If one looked closely, they could see the androgynous insect girl shivering a bit.
?Huh?? What are you? ?talking about??? said Mystia, extending her green, sharp nails out of instinct.
Kaguya closed her eyes and sighed.
?Sad really? I really thought that I could convince the two of you to come the seal willingly? But now it seems I must bring you forcefully.? said Kaguya before giggling a bit.
?MYSTIA!? shouted Wriggle as she turned all the way around.
Mystia put up a defensive fighting stance, but in only an instant, she found herself being held up into the air by the neck, courtesy Kaguya?s iron right hand grip.
?Gah?! Ah??!? gasped a confused and helpless Mystia.
I? ?I never saw her move?! thought the shocked Wriggle, frozen in fear.
Kaguya only smiled all the more maliciously, almost as if she fed off the fear of her two victims.
?It is quite too bad? Your food is quite delicious.?
Mystia only shivered in fear as she held on to Kaguya?s right arm. The princess held up her left arm, building blue colored magical energy in her left hand? ...and putting it right at Mystia?s face.
?Now Mystia Lorelei? ?become my puppet!?
An Odd Sea Slug:
The next thing Mystia saw was a bright flash? The entire lamprey stand exploded into pieces as Kaguya unleashed her attack!
?MYSTIAAAAAA? cried Wriggle.
After the princess emerged from the smoke and fire, the insect rushed in to attack her, only to be knocked down to the ground by a swift strike from the back of Kaguya?s right hand.
?You need not exert yourself. Your friend lives. I need the two of you alive after all. Because of that, I used one of my? ?gentler attacks.? said Kaguya, standing over Wriggle while holding her chin with her left arm, and supporting that arm with her right.
Wriggle only looked up at Kaguya, paying no heed to the green blood trickling down her mouth, or the sharp pain in her right cheek. She only had eyes for escape. Just then, she heard coughing coming from the smoldering spot where Mystia?s stand used to be. Wriggle quickly looked over, and then dove head first into the slowly clearing smoke. She ran out with an injured Mystia in her arms. She quickly hid behind a large tree, wondering what to do. Kaguya was no doubt following?
Mystia?s dress was tattered in many places. Her hat was even missing.
?Uhhh??
?Mystia??! Mystia, tell me you?re okay!? whispered Wriggle.
Mystia slowly opened her eyes. Her expression gave off signs that her entire body was currently racked with pain.
?Wri? Wriggle?? Wh-whats happening?? Why is? Why is she trying to capture us??? asked Mystia, still shocked by what had just happened.
?I haven?t a clue as to why?? admitted Wriggle. And I haven?t any idea as how to escape either?
Just then, Wriggle saw several splinters fly past her? Kaguya was some distance from the tree, holding her arms out as she unleashed crescent shaped blades of energy at the tree, slowly cutting it away. Surely she had enough power to do away with the tree in one blow however? Either she was being extra careful or?
She?s toying with us? thought Wriggle.
?Come now you two? You will not have to suffer more than have already. Just come with me and it will all be over!? said Kaguya almost playfully.
Wriggle merely looked back, knowing that she?d have no choice but to move soon. There wasn?t anyway for her to take on Kaguya in combat, especially without Mystia. What was she to do??
Just then, Wriggle felt movement in her arms? She was shocked to find Mystia climbing out of her grasp. What was she doing?! Did she plan to take on Kaguya herself?!
?Mystia please! Save your strength!? pleaded Wriggle.
?No? No human has ever caught me like that before? And I certainly won?t let myself be taken by one either? ?not without fighting back first??
It looked tough, but the night bird managed to remain stable. She gritted her teeth fiercely. Her pride was just as injured as her body. Furthermore, she was not about to go down without a fight, no matter how hopeless that fight was.
?My? My entire body feels as if it has been pierced with many sharp needles? But I don?t care! I?ll gladly die before I go anywhere with her, or any filthy human!?
?Mystia?? said Wriggle, feeling mixed emotions over the injured night bird?s resolve.
But then, in only a moment, Kaguya was standing in front of the two surprised girls with a vicious smile.
?You can forget about death. I have no intention of letting you die before my plan is complete. So??
She put her face into theirs.
??Just. Give. Up.?
Mystia?s face contorted with a mix of deep fear, and vengeful anger as her grey eyes met Kaguya?s cold and unnerving dark brown ones.
?N? N? NO!? shouted Mystia taking a swipe a Kaguya with her right claws.
Kaguya leaned only just enough to avoid the swipe before holding out her left hand and blowing her away with sheer magical force. Mystia shrieked as she was sent through several trees and ended up tumbling on to more open ground.
?You?ll pay for this?!? said Wriggle weakly as she took a right hook to Kaguya.
The princess merely caught Wriggle?s fist, sending her own right one deep into the bug girl?s stomach with great force. Wriggle gasped as she experienced the same fate as Mystia, joining her on the ground. Despite the strength of the princess? attacks, both girls were determined to keep going? They both slowly stood up?
?Mystia? ?are? ?you alright?? gasped Wriggle, holding her stomach as she stood up.
?I?ll be fine? For now, this human shall pay!? grunted Mystia, wiping crimson blood from her mouth.
The night bird shot off into the sky as she pulled out a strange card? A spellcard!
?Night Sparrow! Midnight Chorus Master!? she shouted.
The card began glowing? Now Kaguya?s vision quickly turned pitch black. She couldn?t even see her hand in front of her face! But she merely smiled. Large green energy balls of very great numbers began flying out at her, but of course she couldn?t see them. Even so, her senses and ability to manipulate instances (the same ability she used to move somewhere in the blink of an eye earlier) allowed her to dodge daftly. She was like a moonlit blur of subdued colors of night!
?This will get old quickly. It is a good thing I practiced that spell before hand?? she spoke to herself.
She finally dissipated her smile as she concentrated, chanting special words with corresponding hand signs. But even then, she dodged swarms of green energy balls effortlessly.
How can this be?! How has she lasted this long against this attack?! This is one of my best spell cards! thinks Mystia to herself.
Kaguya soon finishes her spell. In an instant, her night blindness has completely vanished! Mystia gasps in horror at this seemingly impossible turn for the worse.
?Now it is my turn.? says Kaguya calmly.
She swings her right arm upward at Mystia, sending a large whip of pure energy dead into the Youkai bird?s stomach.
?GAAH!?
Mystia ends up falling back to the ground. The blow also disrupts the remaining effects of he spell card, allowing Kaguya to cease her evasion. But as this is happening, Wriggle is making use of her special ability- her ability to summon poisonous insects at will!
?This will stop you?! Prepare yourself, human!? threatened Wriggle.
Kaguya merely smiled, awaiting Wriggle?s attack. Mystia slowly staggered back toward her friend, quickly realizing what she was doing.
Wait? Doesn?t she know about??!
?Wriggle wait?!? pleaded Mystia.
?GO!? shouted Wriggle, swinging her hand at Kaguya.
Hundreds? ?perhaps thousands of poisonous insects swarmed around Kaguya, quickly covering her body! But Kaguya merely looked on casually.
?There?s enough poison within this insect force to strike down three humans!? boasted Wriggle. ?Surely you will not survive this night!?
?Wriggle, that won?t work!?
Wriggle looks back at Mystia, confused.
?What do you speak of?? You talk as if??
All of a sudden there was a bright flash of light from where Kaguya was standing? When it faded, the two youkai could see Kaguya standing without a scratch, some of the grass around her burnt. All the insects had been vaporized!
?Your friend is correct you know?? began Kaguya, smiling sweetly.
Wriggle just stood in shock and disbelief.
?Aww, do not say you hadn?t any knowledge of my immortality?? giggled Kaguya.
?Immor? ?tality??? asked Wriggle.
?That?s right? No matter how much we injure her or how much poison we inject into her? ?she will never die.? explains Mystia with a dark tone.
?No way? Then what are to do?!? asked Wriggle, almost panicking.
?All we can do is to perhaps injure her until she can?t fight anymore, and then escape while we have the chance to. I would say ?run? but that is not a viable option anymore.? explains Mystia.
?But as it stands, you don?t stand much of a chance in even accomplishing that now do you?? asks Kaguya before laughing. ?Dear children, all you had to do was surrender. Such stubbornness has merely lengthened your suffering. Now waste no more time??
Kaguya suddenly shot out her left arm, sending an energy whip crashing into Wriggle?s stomach. Wriggle cried out in pain as she was sent tumbling into the nearby bushes. Mystia watched helplessly.
?Accept your fate!? commanded Kaguya.
Wriggle tried to stagger back up, but failed, coughing up green blood from her mouth.
Mystia gritted her teeth and held up her claws at Kaguya, but not before watching Wriggle struggle for a few seconds. Kaguya merely stood with the same sweet yet unnerving smile as before.
The angered Mystia shrieked loudly as she charged at Kaguya, swiping at her with her claws. Kaguya however dodged without fail with each blow. Two front swipes? Two short jumps backward. A rising vertical strike? Side stepped. A tackle attempt? A mere turn with a back step.
Nothing Mystia did connected, slowing with each blow. Kaguya held her right arm to her mouth.
?Heh heh heh? Is this all you have left? You haven?t enough strength to use spell cards or danmaku at this point. I?m I correct?? asked Kaguya.
(Danmaku: Japanese word for ?curtain fire?.)
Kaguya took to the skies, with Mystia in close pursuit. Kaguya had to dodge more blows while in the air. Before long she moved behind Mystia in an instant, sending a white magic bolt slamming into Mystia?s right wing, sending her crashing to the ground with a sickening snap.
?Ah?! My wing?!? thought Mystia out loud as she staggered into a half-stand, wincing heavily from the pain.
The princess side stepped one last attack, a desperate tackle. The night bird fell to her knees exhausted, too tired to continue her assault.
?Oh my? My first attack on you really did some damage on you, didn?t it? Never the less, your persistence makes me believe I withheld too much power when I used it on you.?
?Wriggle Sign??
?Hm???
Kaguya dissipated her smile as she turned to face Wriggle.
?Night Bug Storm!? shouted the firefly girl, as she held up a spell card.
Wriggle was surrounded by a white light as a flat spiral made from numerous small white energy balls began appearing in the sky. The spiral span counter clockwise as it increased in size. It soon stopped spinning, the balls becoming larger and flying at Kaguya at a great speed. There had to be hundreds to be sure.
?Lets see how you handle this!? shouts Wriggle.
?Hm? Pathetic. It seems your danmaku isn?t all that strong either?? comments the princess.
Kaguya quickly spins around, swinging her arms to send out an intense magic force, Wriggle?s bullets thrown away like simple paper balls, much to Wriggle's shock. Clenching her teeth, the nightbug immediately drew another spell card.
?Lamp Sign! Firefly Phenomenon!? shouted Wriggle as the card vanished.
A green aura surrounded Wriggle as she pointed both her outstretched arms at Kaguya, and opened her palms. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of small blue energy spheres flew out at the princess. Accompanying them were hundreds upon hundreds of green, diamond shaped bolts of death that spread out from Wriggle?s body, engulfing the battlefield (except of course where Mystia was).
?Impressive?? commented Kaguya.
Kaguya kindly stepped of the path of the blue spheres while playfully, yet carefully dodging the green diamonds. In fact she moved almost as if she was frolicking in a park, or dancing. Her dodges were graceful and precise. Clearly this spell card was far too easy for her skill level. At best, the bullets were only able to graze her. Not a single shot landed. After a few minutes?
?I believe that is quite enough?? said Kaguya more to herself.
Kaguya held her arms out, and sent swarms of spherical projectiles of many colors out at Wriggle. Many were intercepted by the insect girl?s own shots but?
Wriggle looked up? A feeling of terror fell over her as she saw that large swarm above her? She never even saw it until now?
Mystia did not turn around, remaining completely catatonic. Even during the loud explosion, she remained silent and still with a fear frozen facial expression. Even during the sounds of Wriggle screaming in agony as Kaguya mercilessly attacked her while laughing in sadistic revelry was not enough to make her turn around for even a short glance. Even when Wriggle was thrown past her, bleeding and clothes torn? even then she didn?t even so much as move her eyes. This is because she knew that this perhaps the end. Her time? Both their times were over. Kaguya would be able to do what she intended with them.
?Wriggle???
Wriggle was only able to sit up a slight bit, one eye barely open.
?Damn?!? she muttered.
Kaguya sighed in relief.
?Finally? Now I can take you without fail.?
?No? I don?t?? mumbled Mystia.
The princess swung her arms forward, six chains emerging from her large sleeves, three for each. Unable to dodge, the two Youkai girls found themselves wrapped up in the odd, bronze colored magic chains. Kaguya slowly began rising into the air as the chains retracted, pulling her victims closer?
Wriggle struggled against the chains desperately, trying to grab anything she could use to resist Kaguya.
?No?!? she half-shouted as she felt herself leaving the ground.
By now, Mystia?s eyes were tightly shut, tears pouring out from them.
I don?t want to go?! thought the helpless night bird.
Kaguya was smiling evilly as her catch drew closer? But suddenly, a strange blue object flew in front of her, stopping right at her face? Kaguya seemed to recognize the projectile.
?That?s?!?
The beginnings of a surprised expression began forming on her face just as a loud explosion with a white flash engulfed the battlefield?
An Odd Sea Slug:
The chains were broken, sending Mystia and Wriggle back down to the ground. But instead of the usual painful landings with thuds, they were carried gently back to the ground? ?by flames??
Kaguya slowly fell back to the ground as well, seeming paralyzed.
?Hourai bomb? Meant to incapacitate immortals like myself? But who??? Kaguya interrupted her own sentence as she looked upward to her right to find? ?You?! Mokou!?
Kaguya saw a girl appearing to be in her mid to late teens if not early twenties in the sky above her. She had red eyes along with ankle length hair of a light blue color. Her hair was tied with what appeared to be a large red and white paper charm on top of her head along with many smaller charms tied throughout her hair in a similar manner. She had on (baggy) dark red overalls with similar paper charm decorations stuck on randomly. Her shoes looked similar to boots. She had on a brownish white shirt that looked as if it were exposed to fire with brown tightening belts near the shoulders.
She had on a slight smile, but one could see just a smidgen of contempt behind it as she looked at Kaguya.
?What is this now Kaguya? Have you reduced yourself to harassing young Youkai children? I thought someone of your stature would be at far too high a caliber for something barbaric like that? Nothing like a good little Hourai bomb of your own servant?s creation to set you straight, wouldn?t you say?? said Mokou somewhat snobbishly in a gruff, sandpapery voice.
Kaguya was down on one knee, her movements stiff. It would have appeared however that she was already recovering?
?My business with them isn?t the same as my business with you. I WILL take them along with me whether or not you approve!? responded Kaguya, smiling a bit as well.
?Hmph?? Mokou looked back at the two young Youkai she?d just rescued. ?You two had better head on out of here. Unlike you two, she was affected by the bomb since it only works on people like her and me. But the effects won?t last long, and even now she?s dangerous. Once she recovers, I won?t be able to protect you.?
Mokou then looked back at Kaguya, taking a fighting stance as if she were trained in martial arts. Wriggle and Mystia suddenly felt their bodies regaining strength, along with some of their pain leaving. They checked themselves, looked at each other, then helped each other get up.
?I?m unsure of what you did to make her hate you so much, but now you can just leave her for me to handle. I?ll give you some of my energy along with four bombs. Use them wisely and you may yet escape. Now hurry up!?
?Wait! Who are you?? asked Wriggle.
?I?m just a health nut that runs a Yakitori stand! And now, a health nut who is seriously gonna kick the princess of Eientei?s ass!?
Wriggle found the answer a little strange, but at least she and Mystia knew the face of their rescuer. Wriggle picked up four coin-like objects with blue stars decorating them. These were the magical bombs that she and Mystia could use to defend themselves in case they were attacked while escaping Kaguya?s clutches. Mystia was all the more bewildered by the events. She was silent, turning to look at Mokou, but not saying anything. It was Wriggle who spoke up as the two of them limped as quickly as they could away from the battlefield, and into the nearby forest.
?Thank you.? spoke the nightbug before looking back to what was in front of her with Mystia following suit.
By now, Kaguya had managed to stand up, albeit in a very crooked postion. An aura of blue and white energy surrounded her.
?Surely you realize they will not get far? My dear Inabas are sure to catch them. They move with much speed and agility. Even with bombs, the chances that they have are small? ?assuming of course they have any chances at all!? boasted Kaguya.
Mokou began building orange colored magical energy in her hands. She was creating fire?
?Don?t think so lowly of the potency of my bombs Kaguya? Your rabbit troops will be in for a most unpleasant surprise. So what is about those two that made you attack them anyway??
?I?d say ?I am simply out exterminating pests? or ?they attacked me first? but considering what you saw, I know you?d doubt both explanations. Alas, my real reason shall remain unknown to you.? said Kaguya calmly.
?Then it seems I will just have to beat it outta ya!? exclaims Mokou.
?In due time dear Mokou. Before hand though a question of my own. How is it that you were able to come into possession of one of Eirin?s inventions??
?That is for me to know, and for scum like you to never find out!?
?Is that so?? I see no further reason for delay then. Now let us decide this latest destined battle between our cursed souls!?
An Odd Sea Slug:
***
An hour passes?
The Forest of Magic is well known as one of Gensokyo?s most dangerous and mysterious areas. It is said that people who wander into this forest are doomed to get hopelessly lost and subsequently attacked by beast-like Youkai or the strange, man-eating plants. The area is a breeding ground for malicious spirits along with deranged criminals. As a result, the area is filled with evil and is generally vile and repulsive.
However, two girls: Marisa Kirisame, a human, and Alice Margatroid, a Youkai that looks like (and at one time was) a human- have managed to live in this dangerous place without fail. On this night, even now at this late hour, the two girls are together, studying magic well into the night?s old hours. But it would seem that they were about to be finished for the night?
At the moment, you could still see lights (likely due to magic) on inside of the somewhat dilapidated, smallish, vine covered house. The inside of the house was? ?to say the least? ?a pigsty. It would seem the owner had a penchant for collecting many strange items, and no talent what so ever for cleaning or keeping organized. One had to wonder how one could move in such a mess. Scrolls, books, maps, jars, chairs, clothing? ?all strewed about carelessly! How could anyone inside possibly move with so much clutter?!
Apparently these two girls could? Both appeared to be in their mid to late teens. One was on the floor, reading a very large sized book while holding a small, red clothed, blonde haired humanoid doll with a large red bow. She was a short haired blonde, clad in a blue and white dress with black trend along the shoulder area, along with pink ribbons around the waist and neckline. She had on black boots and a red ribbon in her hair. Her eyes were a light blue color, and her skin looked a bit on the pale side, indicating a lack of sunlight exposure.
The other girl sat on a desk, checking on various notes and formulas. She was clad in a short sleeved black and white witch?s outfit with a white apron over it, complete with black shoes with white socks. Her blonde hair was semi-long and quite messy looking, though she did have a braid on the side, complete with a red ribbon. Her skin tone was healthier looking than that of the girl sitting on the floor, and her eyes were golden in color.
She stretched out her arms upward before letting out a small yawn.
?Oh man? What time is it??? she asked.
?Isn?t it odd for Marisa to ask for the time when she stays up this late so frequently?? asks the girl on the ground. ?I?d think you?d be used to it by now. You stay up this late often, but??
Now it was this girl?s turn to have a yawn, a rather long and wide one at that.
??I stay up like this only on rare occasions.?
?Are you sure you?re a Youkai? Since you rarely need sleep, should you really be so tired Alice??
?I haven?t been one long. My habits of old die hard? But in any case, we?d do well to rest for the night. We?ll be better able to study the interesting magic formulas you found after a good rest.? said Alice, slowly standing up.
?Meh? Guess you?re right. Welp? ?time for bed!?
Just then, both girls were surprised by the sound of a VERY close by explosion outside the house. Alice shrieked as she whipped around to the direction of the front door, her doll flying beside her using fairy-like wings. The entire house was shaken, causing many items to crash onto the floor.
?What the hell was that?!? said Marisa as she got up.
?Are asking that of me?! Don?t speak about it to someone who doesn?t know, go outside and look!? half-yelled Alice in response, looking a tad flustered.
Marisa grabbed a bamboo stick broom made with straw, along with a ridiculously large black witch?s hat with a large white ribbon on it. She put the hat on her head.
?Why not come outside with me and find out what it is? Surely you wouldn?t leave a friend to fight off potential intruders alone, would you?? asked Marisa teasingly with a sly smile.
?O-o-of course not! I was gonna follow you of course! Now hurry up and open the door!? chattered Alice, obviously putting up a front.
Like I?m gonna fall for that fake courage... Wish she?d just admit that she?s just a scardy cat already? thinks the black and white witch Marisa. Anyways?!
Marisa suddenly burst out of the front door of her house with the nervous looking Alice behind her. Alice was holding a locked black book. Marisa wasted no time making her demands known to whoever was doing the blasting.
?HEY! The hells goin? on out here?!? she shouted, apparently not much for subtlety.
As Marisa looks around eagerly, Alice (with her better vision from being a Youkai) spots two figures approaching from the front. Two Youkai, both injured with tattered clothing, looking quite exhausted. They were an insect and a night bird? Yes, Wriggle and Mystia had been chased all the way to the Forest of Magic!
?Look!? says Alice to Marisa, pointing to the two.
?The hell? Are you two the ones responsible for that blast just a moment ago?? questions Marisa, hands on her hips.
?F-forgive us?? begins an out of breath Wriggle, stopping and putting her hands on her knees as she leaned down. ?It is I that was responsible, but we had to protect ourselves??
?Wriggle what are? ?you doing?! She?s a human! She can? ?exterminate us? ?if she so? ?desires!? warns an also out of breath Mystia, having to stop between words to breath.
?We haven?t a choice Mystia. We? ?need help. Even if they?re the end of us, they?re our best shot.? said Wriggle somewhat solemnly.
?Nah, you guys haven?t given me a reason to get rid of ya yet.? says Marisa rather happily. ?Though if ya damage the house, you?re gonna owe me some serious cash, ze!?
?Marisa, be serious! Can?t you see they?re hurt?? chides Alice a little angrily.
The book wielding girl and her doll walk up to Wriggle and Mystia, Alice holding Wriggle by the shoulders.
?Who is it that?s chasing you? Is it a red-white miko by any chance?? she asks calmly.
?Not the maiden of the shrine, but the princess of the mansion known as Eientei.? explains Wriggle, who?d caught some breath, but still looking thoroughly exhausted. ?We were saved by a crimson eyed person with blue hair and strange clothes.?
?You were attacked by Kaguya Houraisan, and defended by Fujiwara no Mokou?? asks Alice.
?That is? ?her name??
?Indeed it is.?
?Huh? For a minute, I thought it was that spoiled brat of a vampire?? says Marisa, a hand holding her chin.
?The one named Kaguya brutally attacked us, then sent her army of rabbits and Youkai rabbits after us.? began the fatigued Mystia in a fatigued tone. ?We have? ?no? ?clue as to? ?why??
With that, Mystia finally gives in to her exhaustion and collapses, but is caught by the quickly reacting Marisa.
?Whoa there! You?d better save your strength?? suggested Marisa. Wait, why do I suddenly care about these two?? This isn?t my fight!
Wriggle continued the explanation, looking dazed, probably not even noticing the fact that Mystia had just passed out.
?She said? ?that she ?required our talents?. We know not? ?what she meant exactly. Her army of rabbits? ?have pursued us relentlessly for well over? ?an hour??
Wriggle then collapsed into Alice?s arms.
?Please? ?help? ?us. We don?t? ?want to be? ?taken??
That was all Wriggle was able to get out before losing consciousness.
?Over an hour?!? says a genuinely surprised Marisa. ?Man, she must REALLY need them for something! But insects and sparrows taste really bad, so surely there is something other than that? I?d be lying if I didn?t say I was suddenly interested in what?s going on here.?
?As I am.? responds Alice. ?These are fellow Youkai? I am obligated to help.?
Just then, the two girls heard faint voices in the distance? They both could?ve sworn they heard something along the lines of ?Over here! I think they went this way!?
?Those voices? Gotta be the Inaba army?? says Marisa. ?Man, didn?t think I?d have to fight ?em again so soon??
?No Marisa, I will handle them all myself.? said Alice, much to the surprise of Marisa. ?Dolls!?
Three dolls similar to the one flying by Alice (excepted in black dresses rather than red ones) materialized out of thin air.
?Help Marisa get these two inside! Marisa, turn out the lights once you?re back in!? commands Alice.
Man?! I guess Alice has a little bravery in her after all? Gotta get it to come out more though! thinks Marisa as she carries Mystia inside.
The three dolls grab Wriggle and ?surprisingly enough- are able to pull her inside! Alice waits outside alone, awaiting the approaching rabbit army, book tucked under her left arm, and her right placed squarely on her hip. Surely enough, they finally arrive. Many small, young, human-looking girls with fluffy white rabbit ears, red eyes and pink dresses. All of them had different hair styles, but shared a black hair color. There were at least sixty or so of them.
?Well now, what is it that we have here?!? begins Alice in an unusually threatening sounding tone. ?Aren?t you the same pests that went around raiding my garden for vegetables a few weeks ago? Profiting from labor you did not do? Oh wait? You are! How dare you intrude here!?
Oh? Payback, of course? Alice always did have a hard time letting go of grudges? thinks Marisa (who has her ear to the door).
?Ehh?! But this is not even the same place where you lived before!? says one of the bunny girls.
?And it?s currently not where I live! I?m only here for this night! But since you pests are here, I?m going to give you all a very good lesson! Right now, before you can attack my garden again!? exclaims Alice.
The bunny girls all looked at each other, with slight hints of nervousness. Feigning retreat however, and determined to complete their mission for their Mistress Kaguya, they all continued to stare down Alice.
?Hey, we?re not leaving right now! We do not have time for you now, so move out of the way!?
?Force me to if you are indeed so powerful!?
With that, Alice snaps her free hand?s fingers, summoning seven of her black-dressed dolls. They all wield magenta energy swords. They move in at a surprisingly high speed, and strike at seven of the rabbits. The bunny girls let out surprisingly cute squeals as they fall to the ground (unconscious rather than killed? Odd?).
?How dare you! Inabas? ?CHAAAAARGE!!!?
Alice raises her hand into the air, summoning orange clothed, bow and arrow wielding dolls. The archer dolls fire their weapons at the charging rabbit warriors, somehow firing several shots at once in the form of dull yellow energy arrows. The shots hit their targets, blowing more Inabas back.
One rabbit jumps high into the air, trying to land on Alice, but Alice jumps away. After that rabbit lands, the back of her head finds a hammer being smashed into courtesy of another doll. One bunny attempts to tackle Alice, but a swift spin kick sends it flying away.
Next, Alice holds out her book, creating myriads of yellow and orange death orbs that crash into the bunny army, damaging them further. Some eight rabbits remain standing as a result.
Go Alice! thinks Marisa.
?Damn you! Someday, the Inaba army of Eientei will triumph over you! M-maybe not today or tomorrow, but definitely some day! J-just you wait!? shouts the lead bunny, sniffling a bit, her eyes tearing.
?Retreat! Carry out the injured! Evacuate!? commands another bunny.
It only takes seconds for the rabbits to collect their fallen forces.
?By the way, you seemed to be in pursuit of something?? begins Alice.
?That?s none of your business!?
?A firefly and a bird, correct? I?ll tell you where they are under one condition??
The listening Marisa smiled a little nervously.
She?s not about to sell them out is she??!
?Why should we believe you?!? shouts an Inaba.
?Because you lost them, and I?m your only lead right?? says Alice, smiling confidently.
The bunnies hesitated for a few seconds.
?Name your terms, seven colored Youkai!?
?You are to never venture into my garden again! If you fail to do so I?ll be much harder on you next time we meet! Are we at an understanding??
?Very well! An understanding is reached!?
?Off to my left? Your right! That is where they are headed next! Hurry and catch them! Find them before I do if you want them alive!? warns Alice.
?Carry off the injured! All personal still able to fight, with me!?
And with that, the Inabas retreat. Alice smiles triumphantly as she watches them leave before turning around and going into Marisa?s darkened house? ?promptly falling to her knees and sighing with relief upon closing the door.
?Ooo? I can?t believe I did that?? sighs Alice.
?That was pretty kick ass of you Alice! You must be really passionate of that garden of yours?? begins Marisa. ?Wait? I have never seen a garden at your house before??
?It is there. And yes, I AM passionate about it. So don?t YOU go stealing anything!? warns Alice. How is it she of all people never noticed??
Marisa only chuckles a bit. Despite the darkness, Alice notices that Marisa had begun patching up Wriggle and Mystia.
?How are they?? she asked.
?They?re okay. I need you to help me with the bandages though. After that, we hit the sack. We need our rest if we?re gonna solve this latest mystery aren?t we?? says Marisa enthusiastically with a wink.
Alice seems to blush a bit, before looking away (it?s too dark to see this blushing however).
?You are correct.? she says as she gets up.
***